Race Canceled for 2020 – A message from acidotic RACING

“It is with great sadness, but equal resolve, that we announce the cancellation of the event. As we took stock of the current COVID-19 situation and projected the health and safety challenges in July, we felt it was the correct decision. The mountain running community is our family. This includes our volunteers, participants, first responders/EMTs and venue hosts. And like our actual families, the health and safety of our mountain running family is our paramount concern. While it is likely that things will begin to return to normal in July, the stark reality is that there will still be significant infection control challenges related to large gatherings. And because of this we cannot, in good conscience, subject either our actual families or our mountain running family to these risks. I have contacted our online partner RunReg to initiate the refund process. Your entry fee will be returned to you. In a few days we will be making an announcement about a fundraising effort to support the event non-profit, New England Disabled Sports. We wish everyone continued good health and look forward to seeing you again soon.”Chris J. Dunn & Paul Kirsch, co-RDsacidotic RACING, LLCStrafford, NH

Cost

The Course

The Boss

Over the years our Loon Mountain Race has developed quite a following. The reputation as one of the country’s toughest mountain races is due in large part to the kilometer ascent of North Peak via the black diamond trail known as Upper Walking Boss. ‘The Boss’, as it’s affectionately known, is roughly a kilometer of grassy slope with angles that exceed a dizzying 40% grade!

Prizes and Awards

Awards Ceremony

Light refreshments, awards and raffle prizes will be back in the Governor Adams Lodge after the race. The time will be announced.

$5000 Total Prize Purse

Overall Race Prize Money

$3500 in Prize Money will be distributed to the Top 5 Men and Women, Top Master and Top Senior.

Upper Walking Boss Preme Presented byNortheast Delta Dental

$1500 in Prize Money will be distributed to Top 3 Men and Women on UWB

We’ll have a timing mat at the bottom of UWB and at the top at the finish line. Three fastest times for both genders will win these premes:1st $4002nd $2503rd $100

5 Classic Vertical Trail Races in the U.S.

What goes up … doesn’t always come back down. These hill climbs are brutal but reward you with great views from the top. These five vertical trail races each started as a simple test of who could get to the top of a local landmark the quickest. They are sure to give you burning quads and a spectacular view from the finish. Getting down is another issue… At the Loon Mountain Race, the six-and-a-half-mile course tests every type of ability. It starts out on cat track, changes to technical single track and then around the halfway point hits the first ski slope, with a grade between 15 and 20 percent. The most notorious section of the course is called “Upper Walking Boss,” a kilometer-long section that runs straight up a black diamond slope with a grade of 40 percent.Read More

Most Competitive Hillclimb

This race up Loon Mountain is an annual benchmark on one of the country’s most competitive trail running circuits. Among the most dastardly hill climb races in the country, the course of this five-miler has an average grade of 10 percent—but in some places it ascends at an unthinkable 40 percent—as it meanders upward on a combination of dirt trails, gravel service roads, and grassy ski slopes. -RW

Trail Runners Bucket List

Widely considered the New England Trail Running series’ most difficult event, the Loon Mountain Race in Lincoln, New Hampshire, packs a whopping 2,200+-vertical gain in just 6.6 miles. Racers literally run up a mountain—the average grade is 10 percent, with some sections as steep as 40 percent. The trail winds up the ski resort’s runs, including the black-diamond pitch Upper Walking Boss, before finishing at the top gondola station on Loon peak. -OM

Dirty Dozen – America’s Best Trail Races

Running 6.6 miles with over 3000 feet of vertical gain will definitely make you question the sanity of running up Loon Peak instead of skiing down it — especially on the black-diamond ski run portion, where racers navigate a 40-percent incline. Front-runners dance up the grass ski slopes, dirt trails and service roads like mountain goats.

The 15 Most Epic Trail Races Across The U.S.

This isn’t an ordinary trail race. It’s straight up Loon Mountain to the Summit Lodge at the top of the ski resort’s gondola. You’ll gain 2,200-plus vertical feet over a 6.6-mile course, which has been the site of the USATF Mountain Running Championships. While the average grade along the course is 10 percent, by far the hardest part is the ascent up the black diamond trail Upper Walking Boss – a staggering 40 percent incline!

Other Important Stuff

Aid Stations

The course will feature two fluid aid stations. The average temperature in July is 77F so make sure you run with fluids if you think you will need more than three hydration stops. We will provide fluids at the finish area and back at the Governor Adams Lodge.

Course

The race will begin in Parking Area C and wind its way up to the cat track/service road to the right of Governor Adams Lodge and then travel along the service road heading up Loon Mountain before veering into the Nordic Ski trail network. After this relatively new section of course it follows a traditional combination of dirt trail, service roads, and ski trails to the Summit Lodge at the top of the Gondola. The course works its way over and up to the summit of North Peak via the infamous Upper Walking Boss black diamond trail. The race will finish at the top of North Peak. The course averages approximately 14% grade with some sections of more than 40%!

Day of Registration

We will offer day of event registration.

Drug Testing

Athletes who participate in this competition may be subject to formal drug testing in accordance with USATF and IAAF rules, in accordance with USOC, USADA, or IAAF procedures. Athletes found, after a disciplinary hearing, to be positive for prohibited substances, as defined by the WADA Code and/or IAAF, or who refuse to be tested, will be disqualified from this event and may lose eligibility for future competitions. Any prize money payable to an athlete who has tested positive shall be withheld until the final disposition of all disciplinary proceedings. BEWARE: Some prescriptions, over the counter medications, and nutritional supplements may contain prohibited substances. Information regarding drugs and drug testing may be obtained by calling the USADA Reference Hotline at 1-800-233-0393, or www.usantidoping.org.

Gondola Tickets & Spectator Viewing

Race Participants can ride the Gondola, free of charge, back to the bottom after the race.

Spectators can purchase discounted Gondola tickets to ride to the top of the mountain. Tickets will be on sale at the gondola barn (ie. the Main Lodge at the base of the Gondola). The gondola will begin transporting spectators at 8:15 am.

Click for a map with the best viewing opportunities for spectators higher up on the mountain.

Hiking/Trekking Poles

Hiking poles are prohibited at this USATF sanctioned event.

Headphone Policy

The use of personal music devices is strongly discouraged at this race. To enjoy all that our race has to offer and for the safety of all participants, acidotic RACING, LLC encourages a headphone-free environment during the running of the Loon Mountain Race.

We believe your race experience and those around you will be greatly enhanced by leaving the headphones at home or in the car. Running headphone-free allows opportunities to develop camaraderie with your fellow runners and to enjoy everything the race has to offer. Plus, volunteers and spectators will be on course cheering you on and providing directions to help get you to the finish line.

Runner safety has always been, and will continue to be, a top priority for our event. Please be mindful of the other participants and respect the race personnel to ensure a safe and enjoyable race for everyone.

Loon Mountain Waiver

All participants in the Loon Mountain Race are required to sign the Loon Mountain Waiver Form to be able to participate in the event. Filling out the form before bib pickup / race day will help cut down on wait times picking up your bib on race weekend. Thanks for taking the time to complete the waiver!

Photography & Video

Commercial photography and/or videography at our events is strictly prohibited unless advanced permission has been granted. Please contact the Race Director for further information. The use of drones at our events is prohibited. Spectators wishing to take photos or videos must remain off the course at all times.

Military & Svc Discount

We are happy to offer all active military, retired military, and military spouses a discount on registration. In addition, we would also like to extend a discount to all police, fire, and rescue professionals. See the details on the online registration page.

Travel Info

Loon Mountain is approximately 90 minutes from Manchester-Boston Regional Airport in Manchester, NH. It is approximately 2 hours from Logan International Airport in Boston.

Transfers & Refunds

No transfers. Refunds up to July 3, 2020.

PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT

Every acidotic RACING (aR) event benefits a non-profit in part or in total. We’re very proud that this event benefits New England Disabled Sports.

A USATF New EnglandMountain Circuit Event

This race is part of the eight race USATF-NE Mountain Circuit,the oldest mountain running circuit in the US.Learn more at the USATF-NE Website